Cleanup of old cabin on Big Spencer Mountain on tap

AUGUSTA, Maine — A popular hiking area on Big Spencer Mountain in the Moosehead Lake region will get a face lift next month as volunteers work to clean up an old fire ranger’s cabin that has fallen into disrepair.

Ten volunteers are being sought to help with the project being undertaken by the Forest Society of Maine and the Maine Bureau of Parks and Land. Big Spencer Mountain is owned by the state but The Forest Society of Maine has an easement on the property, Karin Tilberg, the society’s deputy executive director, said Friday.

Part of the state’s management plan for the mountain off Moosehead Lake’s eastern shore is to dismantle the cabin and carry the nonburnable materials down to a lower location for transport out, Tilberg said. The clean up is scheduled to be done from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14.

“We are very pleased that the state is going to improve the trail and invest in the hiking experience at Big Spencer,” Tilberg said. “It is truly a world class destination.”

Tilberg said the hiking trail has seen increased recreational outdoor interest which is why efforts are being made to enhance the trail conditions and make sure it is safe for hikers and visitors.

Volunteers should be able to climb fairly steep grades and carry bags of trash. A meeting place will be arranged. Anyone interested in helping should contact Tilberg at 944-0020 or email her at Karin@fsmaine.org.